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Canadian Grand Prix organizers in talks with F1; Schumacher buys a Texas ranch

November 15, 2012

There is pressure on the organizers of the Canadian Grand Prix to remain part of North American's Formula One presence. Photo by LAT PHOTOGRAPHIC

With the inaugural Grand Prix under way at the new Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, the projected 2014 event in New Jersey, and talk of other new Formula One races in Los Angeles and Mexico City, the pressure is on for the consortium behind the Canadian Grand Prix to remain a part of F1's North American presence by concluding a contract extension beyond next year.

The new state government of Québec, which was elected in early September, is continuing negotiations initiated by its predecessor with F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone over the future of the Montréal event. The F1 Group CEO is demanding substantial infrastructure development at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve as a precondition of any extension. The minority government's new minister of tourism, Pascal Bérubé, therefore hopes to secure a new, 10-year deal so as to justify the investment of public funds.

The Canadian Grand Prix contract involves the Quebec government, the federal government in Ottawa, the Montéal city administration and the actual event promoter, François Dumontier. Under the terms of the current deal, the three levels of government are understood to have been contributing $15 million (Canadian) annually. Ecclestone has told them that he is looking for an expansion of the F1 paddock area, a new control tower and pits complex, and a state-of-the-art medical center at the venue. Consequently they are looking for a long-term contract.

Bérubé told Le Journal de Montréal newspaper that these facility improvements are at the heart of the ongoing discussions between the Canadian parties themselves. He said, "This is a major strategic issue for us because the city of Montréal has such a major influence on Québecois affairs. Building a new control tower, a hospital and new garages are essential for the Grand Prix, but who will pay, and how much? The track hospital must be developed to meet the standards established by the FIA, but it does not need to be permanent building. Even so, these infrastructures will increase the bill significantly.

“Our ability to pay for them must respect the taxpayers of Québec. It's such a big event that, clearly, our priority is to reach a responsible agreement. Our goal is therefore to ensure that the race not only takes place next year, but for the next 10 years."

The minister claimed that his predecessor, the former minister, Raymond Bachand, had led him to believe that a new agreement had already been reached with F1, which has turned out not to be the case.

In response, Bachand revealed the sort of problems that can arise when Ecclestone is dealing with democratically elected governments. He said, "I spent half an hour with Mr. Ecclestone in his trailer. We shook hands, and basically we had the parameters of an agreement to renew for 10 years. Our lawyers were already at work [on the contract]. But there were elections . . . If I had been re-elected, it would be signed by now."

Schumacher buys Texas ranch

Retiring Formula One ace Michael Schumacher has purchased a 200-hectare ranch in Texas, with stabling for 36 horses.

Germany's Bild newspaper reports that Corinna Schumacher, the wife of the 43-year-old seven-time world champion, has already started to breed riding horses at the property, where the couple stayed in the days leading up to the inaugural U.S. Grand Prix in Austin.

Schumacher explained, "We're going to keep living in Switzerland, but we will also be in Texas, and we plan to spend more time there.”

The U.S. Grand Prix at the new Circuit of the Americas will be Schumacher's penultimate race ahead of his retirement after the following weekend's event in Brazil.